Device for treating cigarettes



P 1935- F. H. MONTGOMERY DEVICE FOR TREATING CIGARETTES Filed Feb. 16, 1934 Patented Apr. 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to devices for medicating or treating cigarettes with menthol or a like chemical substance, and one object thereof is to provide a device for this purpose which comprises a perforated tube, has a charge of menthol crystals in the tube, and is adapted to be placed with a group of cigarettes so that the latter absorb and thus become medicated with the essence or aroma of the menthol as well as the cooling taste.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is substantially the same in size as an ordinary cigarette and is adapted to be substituted for a cigarette in a 15 package or box, so that it serves to medicate or treat all the cigarettes in the box or package with the essence and cooling taste of the menthol.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for medicating cigarettes in whichthe tube is formed of sheet metal, has perforations from one end thereof to the other for air circulating purposes, and is provided at its ends with paraffin closures in order positively to hold the charge of crystals in the tube.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type and character under consideration which is extremely simple in construction and may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present device will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of the present disclosure or specification, 40 and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding 'or like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a package of cigarettes wherein there is substituted for one of the cigarettes a medicating device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the device;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the device illustrating in detail the arrangement and dis- 50 tribution of the charge of menthol crystals in the tube, and showing the manner in which the paraffin end closures seal the ends of tube so as to hold the charge of crystals in place; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line ii-6 of Fig. 3, and disclosing the cross-sectiona1 construction of the perforated sheet metal tube.

The device which forms the subject matter of the invention is designed expressly for use in medicating or treating cigarettes with menthol or a similar chemical substance. It comprises a 5 sheet metal tube 5 and, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, is adapted tobe substituted for one of the cigarettes in a package 6. The tube 5 corresponds in length to an ordinary cigarette and is provided from one end thereof to the other, 10 and substantially throughout its entire area, with perforations 1. A perforated rectangular sheet of metal is preferably used in the fabrication of the tube and this sheet is bent, as shown in Fig. 4, so that the tube is circular in cross-section and one of the side margins thereof extends inwardly and forms a substantially radial reinforcing fin 8.

In addition to the tube 5, the device comprises a charge 9 of menthol crystals or like material and a pair of end closures ID. The charge 9 of menthol crystalssubstantially fills the interior of the tube 5 and is held in place within the tube by the end closures. The latter are formed of paraflin by forcing paraffin into the ends of the tube for sealing purposes. In charging the tube, one end of the tube is first sealed by inserting paraflin into it and thereafter the charge of menthol crystals is inserted into the tube through the other or open end. This end is thereafter filled with paraffin in order to close the tube and seal in place .the' charge of menthol crystals. The perforations 7 permit air to circulate through the tube, with the result that when the device is placed among a group of cigarettes, the cigarettes absorb and thus become medicated with the essence of the menthol as well as the cooling taste of the latter.

When it is desired to medicate with menthol a group of cigarettes, such for example as that 40 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the package 5 is torn open at one corner so as to expose a portion of the cigarettes. One of the cigarettes in the central portion of the package is then removed and the device substituted therefor. soon as the device is in place in the package, the air that circulates through the perforations i in the tube 5 carries the essence of the menthol throughout the package, with the result that the tobacco in the cigarettes absorbs the essence as well as the cooling taste. The tube 5 is preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the cigarettes, so that air is free to flow around the tube and through the perforations.

After the device has been associated with the package for a short period of time, the cigarettes are medicated to the proper extent, so that in the smoking thereof they have a menthol aroma and are cool as far as smoke taste is concerned. If desired, the device may be packed in the cigarettes in the package 6 at the cigarette factory and then, after the cigarettes have'been taken from the package by the purchaser of the package, used to medicate with menthol other groups of cigarettes such, for example, as those in boxes or other cigarette-holding containers.

The device may be manufactured at a low and reasonable cost because it is exceedingly simple in construction. It is extremely eflicient in operation due to the fact that the tube is perforated from one end thereof to the other and throughout substantially'its entire area.

Whereas the tube has been described as having a charge 9 of menthol crystals, it is to be understood that any other suitable aromatic chemical material for cigarette medication may be used. It is also to be-understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the ap pended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

As a new article of manufacture, a device for mentholating a conventional package of cigarettes, adapted to be substituted for one of the cigarettes in the package and comprising a cylindrical tube of substantially the same length as the cigarettes but slightly smaller in diameter so that there is an air space therearound when it is in place in the package, said tube being provided with sealing means at its ends and having a filling of menthol crystals between and sealed in place by said sealing means and also having a plurality of perforations throughout the side wall thereof for permitting the essence or aroma of the menthol crystals to pass to said air space for absorption by the cigarettes.

FRED H. MONTGOMERY. 

